So I have some roadrunners, had them for years and only used them a few times with no results. How many of you actually use them? When is the best time to use them or in what scenario should I give them another try?
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So I have some roadrunners, had them for years and only used them a few times with no results. How many of you actually use them? When is the best time to use them or in what scenario should I give them another try?
I like to use them whenever I’m casting or trolling along. You can use them jigging too. Awesome baits!
Here in MN I use them quite a bit slow trolling along weedlines in the summer months, mid June to mid August.
I always have one or 2 tied on while I troll along. Never had much luck with them on other species and other techniques but when I started trolling for crappie, they became a go-to lure. Wouldn't be without them now. I usually put a stinger tail or baby shad type 2" plastic on the ones I troll. Mostly 1/32 ounce but sometimes use a 1/16 ounce.
Thanks for the replies everyone. I see everyone is talking about trolling, well I did forget to say I am a bank fisherman. Not sure if that makes a big difference or not when I cast and retrieve.
They work good casting also. Ive caught them just about any way you can fish them.
Road Runners is literally my #1 go to. From the bank or the boat, mostly casting. Like 6lbtest said 1/32 95% of the time then 1/16. Keep changing' plastic till you find the color they like that day.... or hour! LOL
I use them quite a bit during the Spring spawning season, casting them along spawning banks. I use 1/16oz marabou Road Runners, mostly in "pink" or "hot pink", that I had custom tied by our member "skiptomylu". Prior to using Skip's custom ties, I had used marbou Road Runners in white or chartreuse since I was a young man.
While I do have a "bunch" of RR heads and packaged RR's with various plastic body types, I still tend to use the marabou RR's about 99.9% of the time ... simply because I'm very successful with them (as I've always been over the decades).
I've trolled with them (single pole in hand) and even shot docks with them over the years.
Here's a pic showing Skip's custom work done for me & some of my fishing buds, from back in 2021. (Skip is authorized to use Road Runner heads for his custom ties.)
https://www.crappie.com/crappie/atta...y-img_4419-jpg
Needless to say, I've caught several other fish species besides Crappie, when casting a Road Runner. :check
I’ve used Roadrunners, especially when I spider rig or long line troll. The action sometimes causes more of a reaction bite than a normal jig in these situations. There are times when a smaller profile jig works better than any bladed jig head, especially when the crappie are finicky.
Good info here…but what I want to know is there a specific time of the season to use them like spring summer or fall? How about water temp is cooler water better than warmer? TIA!
I typically use them more in the early spring to early summer when I troll when the water is probably in the 60-70s, since I'm down south. I've sometime use them when I dock shoot since it can help draw a reaction bite as the jig falls.
Once water temps hit 50 degrees is when I start throwing bladed jig baits.
I tend to use them more in relation to how deep the Crappie are at the time, than a specific season. And yes, I have used them all three of the seasons you mentioned, but generally when the Crappie are <10ft deep (& at the time of day when they are at that depth range).Quote:
Originally Posted by P-row
I've even seen my buddy, slabeye, use bladed jigheads when Flippin' double jig rigs with Livescope ... and in water depths beyond my 10' threshold for single jig casting, and be quite successful doing so.
Thx guys…this is exactly what I wanted to know!
I've caught tons of fish on RoadRunners both casting and trolling. In Spring from the bank, I look for warmer water feeder creeks entering larger bodies of water. In rivers or larger streams, look for current breaks, rocks or logs. Around bridges & docks can be a safe bet in lakes and reservoirs. Look for active schools of baitfish in late Spring/early Summer, then cast beyond the school and retrieve under the school & hang on!
I've caught a stripers up to 12 pounds on bucktail RoadRunners, plus bass, and unexpected channel cats when trolling for crappie from my kayak. They're a super effective and versitile lure that be fished in lots of situations. Keep after 'em, because it is just a matter of time and patience before you find success.
Jim
Thanks everyone. I will definitely give them another shot.
They are a great bait. For some reason I use them more in lakes that I travel to more than the river & creeks I usually fish. Caught fish on them there too though.
I would think that as a flashy/moving lure, they will be more effective in warmer water as bait fish move more when it's warmer. :donoQuote:
Originally Posted by P-row
Cast parallel to the bank weather fish are in 2 ft or 12 ft will yield more strikes / fish . jmo Those old guys with the visor built into the hat showed me this. lol
Roadrunners catch fish when all else fails.parallel to the bank 2 feet off bottom.
I was using them so much I bought the molds and parts and make my own!!